The Penrith Board will leave no stone unturned in their search for a new CEO to replace Brian Fletcher when he departs the club early next year.
The club has identified several possible internal candidates but will employ a recruitment agency to search for the best candidate.
“We’ll be getting some support. There will be a recruitment agency that is helping us with this,” Panthers Chairman Peter Graham told the Weekender.
“The Board and some advisors will sit down so we’re clear and are able to articulate what it is we want in a new CEO. That’s the first step in the process.
“Once we’ve done that we’ll advertise and there will be a shortlist. There will be a Board sub-committee to review the short listing and when we get it down to two or three, the entire Board will become involved in a selection process.”
Fletcher himself has confirmed he will have no role in the recruitment of a CEO and wants to remain at arm’s length of any decision.
“We want to be sure the person we do select is going to take on the challenges of the next 10 years with Panthers and give that confidence and continuity,” Graham said.
“There are certainly suitable applicants within the organisation, the only question is level of suitability in comparison to others who might apply.”
Appointing a new CEO would clear up any conflict between the Group and Rugby League roles, with Matt Cameron to focus solely on managing the rugby league club and a new CEO to focus on the operations of the club.
Fletcher held dual roles for some time so there was always some overlap in his duties.
“We’ll be clear about that. It’s very clearly a job where the focus is on the five clubs and the hotel,” Graham said.
The role is expected to be advertised in the coming weeks, with the successful candidate to start in 2026.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.